UKtravelbear

I wouldn’t trust a 4 year old review from before the pandemic.

there are several threads on the BA board relating to the T5 arrivals lounge with far more recent experiences listed.

CMTinPHL

It was the first one I came across… I would’ve thought BA’s website about the lounge would say something, but it didn’t (at least that I saw).

bse118

I mean, I routinely use the arrivals lounges on connections at Heathrow. But that's "advanced LHR user" behavior, not exactly the design use case.

Majuki

I agree that it's not worth doing anything unnatural to visit, but I would argue that 1) if you are eligible to access the AA Arrivals Lounge and it is open during your transit, 2) are eligible to use the automated gates to enter the UK, 3) have at least a 3-hour layover, and 4) are connecting onto a BA flight departing from Terminal 5, I'd much prefer the Arrivals Lounge.

The advantages with this approach are that the Arrivals Lounge is typically less crowded than BA, and I've never had to wait to get a shower. The showers are much larger and better designed than the awful showers in BA's lounges with the fluorescent lighting and plastic paneling, paltry shelf that where one has to perilously balance items at great risk of dropping into the sink or, worse, toilet, and the constant burping and slurping noises of the plumbing.

I would always opt to take the Elizabeth Line/HEX or Piccadilly Line to T5 versus the Flight Connections bus.

Blumie

Given how early I'm arriving at LHR on Thursday, I'd like to go for a run and then shower before heading into London. My running route begins at T5, so certainly one option is to head over to the BA Arrivals Lounge, where I know from recent experience that they'll admit me (even though flying on AA) and have a desk where one can check luggage. Is there anything comparable at the AA Arrivals Lounge? Folks on the BA board seem to think the AA lounge is superior to the BA lounge, so even though I'm perfectly happy with the BA lounge, I'd like to check out the AA lounge.

(As I typed this I realized that one option is to head over to T5 with my luggage, check it at the BA Arrivals Lounge, go for my run, and then claim my luggage from the BA Lounge before heading back to the AA Lounge, but still I'd like to know if I can check my luggage at the AA Lounge. A lot of words for a straightforward question!)

stant

they have an area for luggage storage directly opposite the checkin desk, but in my experience it's hit or miss if they let you leave anything there. also keep in mind that the aa arrivals lounge isnt open very late. 3 pm iirc.

bse118

Maybe just me, but this isn't a service that I would be relying on the lounges for.

https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airp...s/left-luggage

Blumie

In the BA Arrivals Lounge, the luggage storage area in behind a counter and has an attendant. No reason to use the left luggage service which, in addition to the cost, requires waiting in a queue and filling out forms. I’ve done it in the past when the arrivals lounges have been closed, but at least the BA lounge is a much better option. They said, if it makes you more comfortable go for it!

Majuki

In the AA Arrivals Lounge there is simply an unattended room opposite the front desk where one can store luggage. I've left suitcases unattended there multiple times but only for the duration of my stay in the lounge. This includes getting a meal or using one of the shower rooms.

It sounds like the BA Arrivals Lounge has a better setup for left luggage than AA's, but transiting T3 to T5 and back to T3 seems a lot of time.

Blumie

Which is why I used the BA lounge before and likely will again

IADCAflyer

The LHR lounge has some very hot water - I'll say that. And their shirt press service was very quick. Food was decent but nothing to write home about. I did enjoy my traditional European craving - Schweppes Lemon....

AirborneLocksmith

The LHR arrival lounge is still open, right? They didn't close it for renovation or something, correct? The AA website doesn't say anything about it being closed.
I'm asking because the OW Lounge page doesn't show it anymore. https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lou...s?location=LHR

I have 6.5 hours between my incoming AA flight into T3 and my departing BA flight from T5, so I figured I may as well take the "scenic route" via the AA arrivals lounge in T3 and the BA First Wing at T5 instead of using the regular flight connection route. I spent 4 hours in the T5 BA First lounge last month, so I don't mind taking a little longer getting there.

apeortdz

I used AA arrivals T3 lounge less than two weeks ago. Still functioning well and nice. Try the Smashed Avocado for brekky.

a9504477

So, what was the outcome?

Blumie

As I think I’ve posted recently on this thread, I have flown AA a couple of times recently and have had no trouble accessing the BA arrivals lounge in T5. Both times I accessed twice, the first time to drop off my luggage and change into running clothes, and the second time returning from my run. No problem. Four separate BA agents allowed me in with my AA BP.